Camden Town, London » City Info » Travel Tips

Is it a Tricycle? Is it a Motorbike? It's the Piaggio Mp3!

Navigating the streets and alleyways of Camden Town isn't particularly easy if you are trying to travel by car. That is probably part of the reason why you will see a preponderance of bicycles in the area. That and the low initial price, environmental credentials and almost non-existent running costs of bicycles. Whether they are the single-speed bikes of the hipster set, repurposed bikes made up of scrap from various broken rides, or sleek new urban models, bicycles are sure to stay an integral part of the Camden scene, Of course, there is a medium ground between the bicycle and the car, and Camden has its fair share of motorbikes on the streets as well.

Something that might cause you to take a second look when you are out and about in Camden Town, if you happen to see one of the versions that grace its streets, is a Piaggio MP3. No, it's not the latest portable music player, it's a peculiar-looking kind of motorcycle. The operative word here is "kind of" - if you only saw the back you would think you were looking at a conventional scooter, but once the two-wheeled front comes into view you will quickly realise that you are looking at something more akin to a modern day, extremely cool tricycle.

The MP3 in the name comes from the Italian for 'Piaggiomotorcyle with 3 wheels', Moto Piaggio a 3 ruote, giving the name a certain level of redundancy. First on the market in 2006, the motorcycle is manufactured in 125 cc, 250 cc, 278 cc, and 400 cc versions. If you're looking for something a bit more powerful you can try to find the 500 cc version under the Gilera brand. Many people have an aversion to converting to motorcycles due to the need to acquire a motorcycle license. Handily, a 400cc Piaggio MP3 can be bought as the MP3 LT 400, which has a slightly wider arrangement of the wheels at the front with the result that this model is no longer classified as a motorcycle but rather is technically a 'tricycle' which gives it the advantage that it can legally be taken on the roads with a UK car license.

Another variant that might appeal to the ecologically conscious is the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid, which combines a 125cc four-stroke and a 2.6kW electric motor. You can choose to use the electric motor only, the petrol motor only, or use both combined to get the equivalent of a 250cc motor. Unfortunately, the batteries will run out in about 25 minutes and you'll need to use your 125cc engine to haul around your weighty (249kg) scooter, so the environmental benefits really only accrue if you're just popping into Camden Town from Hampstead Heath or Islington, and if that's the case, do you really need your own transport at all?

If you're trying to spot a Piaggio MP3 keep an eye on Police vehicles. The London Met have a few in use.